Nina was born September 13, 1930, at home near Cave City, Arkansas. The youngest of nine, her parents were Charlie and Lizzie (Girtman) Simmons. Nina died after a long battle with dementia on January 31, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings (Olen, Nova, Leon, Iola, Iona, Clyde, Louie Mae, and Charles), and her husband James Simpson. Nina is survived by her three children: Jim Simpson (Peggy) of Kansas City, MO; Rebecca Owen (Jay) of Olathe, KS; Sam Simpson (Laurie) of Tulsa, OK; and grandchildren: Joshua Simpson, Jason Owen, Leah (Simpson) Carlson, Aubrey Owen, Jarrett Simpson, Catherine (Simpson) Cudney, and eight great-grandchildren.
After high school, Nina moved to Kansas City for secretarial school. She got a job and attended Trinity Methodist Church where (in a group of young adults) she met Jim. They married June 18, 1950. After working for a while, she began raising a family and became a homemaker. They lived in an apartment near 39th & Wabash until moving to a rental on Lee’s Summit Road next to a dairy farm. Jim was working for Western Union when they moved back to Kansas City where they bought a nice house on a double lot. Nina lived there forty-seven years. When the kids were in school, Nina began working at the IRS as a seasonal data input (keypunch) worker. Then she worked full time at various positions (including being a Congressional liaison). She worked at the IRS until she retired. When Jim died in 1975 (age 48), life was hard. Among other things, she learned to drive; nevertheless, she persisted.
She was a fixture in the neighborhood, became active in community action groups, and stayed involved in church, especially United Methodist Women. In retirement, she provided transportation to church for several people. She stayed in touch with her siblings through a round robin letter and phone calls. For several years she lived in an apartment in Waldo and attended Broadway/Keystone UMC. The past seven years she was well-cared for by the staff of Jackson Creek Memory Care in Independence, MO.
A private family funeral service will be held. Arrangements are made with Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home. Remembrances can be shared on this website.
Memorial gifts to Trinity United Methodist Church, 640 East Armour Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64109.
